Camp Blount, Tennessee-- Part 1

From Tennessee Historical Marker.

This is in conjunction with blog entries on Sam Houston posted Nov. 22 and 23, 2015, in this blog.

In September 1813, the Army of West Tennessee assembled at Camp Blount on the Elk River.  It took the Oath of Allegiance on October 7.  Major General Andrew Jackson arrived at Fayetteville to take command of the army which included Sam Houston and David Crockett.

The Army then marched to Alabama and defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.

The marker on the site of Camp Blount is at US-231/US-431 in Fayetteville, Tennessee, behind the River Oak Shopping Center.

--Brock-Perry

Tennessee in the War of 1812-- Part 7: Tennesseans Who Played Roles in the War

In addition to Andrew Jackson, several Tennesseeans played vital roles in the War of 1812.

Congressman Felix Grundy was one of the principal "War Hawk," who were mostly Congressmen from the South and West, who pressed the government for a declaration of war.  I often drive through Grundy County, Illinois, and its county seat, Morris.  It was named for Felix Grundy when he was attorney general of the United States.

James Winchester, a resident of Sumner County, was commissioned a brigadier general and led an unsuccessful invasion of Canada.

Edmund Pendleton Gaines, an East Tennesseean, rose to the rank of major general for his role in defeating the British at Fort Erie in 1814.

Sam Houston and Davy Crockett, future legendary heroes, played minor roles in the war against the Creeks.

--Brock-Perry

Was Croghan's "Ol' Betsy" Davy Crockett's "Old Betsy?"

In an earlier post, I mentioned the possibility that Davy Crockett might have named his rifle after that little six-pounder cannon at Fort Stephenson when George Croghan won his big victory.

The Guns of the Old West site says no.  Davy named all of his rifles (not just one) after his favorite sister, Betsy.

There is no mention that Davy Crockett was at Fort Stephenson either.  But. most likely he knew about it.

--BrockBetsy

George Croghan-- Part 5: "When the Fort Is Taken, There Will Be None to Massacre"

George Croghan had but one cannon at Fort Stephenson, a six-pounder named "Old Betsy."  It is believed by some that this is where Davy Crockett got the name for his rifle.

General William Henry Harrison was so angered by Croghan's refusal to follow orders that he afterwards had him arrested, but the "Boy major" talked his way out of it.  First he said he had made his defiant reply because he feared his message would be intercepted by the enemy.

On August 1, 1813, British General Proctor arrived at Fort Stephenson with about 500 regular troops and 700 Indians.  He demanded the fort's surrender, but Croghan had no such intention.  He replied that there would be no surrender.  He and his men would hold the fort or die in the attempt.  Noting the Indian tendency to massacre prisoners, Croghan continued, "When the fort is taken, there will be none to massacre."

A Six-Pounder Named "Old Betsy."  --Brock-Perry

Fort Gadsden-- Part 2: Built By Edward Nicholls

The original fort was built by the British, though in Spanish territory, as an attempt to recruit local Indians to fight against the Americans.  A force of 100 Royal Marines led by Lt. Col. Edward Nicholls arrived on the Apalachicola River in August 1814 to aid and train local Indians.  They built the fort, but there is little evidence of much success with the Indians and the war ended shortly thereafter.

So, the Nicholls connection for Nicholls' Outpost.  He evidently built both.

In late November 1814, Major Uriah Blue, commanding a force of 1.000 Mississippi militia, Chickasaw and Choctow warriors, left Fort Montgomery (east of Mobile and west of Pensacola) to seek out and destroy the Red Stick Creek Indians.  Among them was Creek War veteran Davy Crockett.

However, the Americans were unfamiliar with the area and running out of supplies and never found their objective or the British fort and were forced to return to Fort Montgomery on 9 January 1815.

It is kind of strange that this expedition would be going on while New Orleans was in danger of being captured.

--Brock-Perry

Tennesseans in the War of 1812

From the Dec. 9, 2012, Knox News "From frontiersmen to Congressen multiple Tennesseans gained war fame" by Steven Harris.

Of course. most famously was Andrew Jackson, but here are some others: Davy Crockett and former Blunt County resident Sam Houston (later somewhat famous in Texas) who was wounded three times at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.

Knoxville founder James White, a brigadier general in 1813, who led the attack at Hillabees Creek, Tennessee.

Congressman Felix Grundy led the Congressional group called The War Hawks who wanted war with Britain.

General Edmund Gaines of Kingsport, Tn., served on the Canadian border, commanding Fort Erie when it was attcked by British, Canadians and Indians and where the enemy lost over 100 men.

--Brock-Perry